Single Review: “I Wish You Well” – Chidi Digital and ROT8TIONS

This is an instrumental of sublime levels… The drums are dusty and warm, reminding you of old jazz records, fused with a vinyl crackle, and it just whisks me back to listening to records on a really good hi fi system, it just sounds so natural. You can’t always get that with a sample of …

Single Review: “War Baby” – Tom Robinson

As it’s Tom’s birthday today I decided to review one of his biggest hits.  This song has so much soul, mixing jazzy rhythms with a beautiful Rhodes piano and a saxophone solo – oh don’t forget the crunchy guitars… I got introduced to this song quite late in life, as I was discussing Fresh On …

Single Review: “Love Has Come” – SōMuch

SŌMuch are back and they’ve got an EP! This is one of the new tracks that hasn’t yet been heard.  The sound is sophisticated, very polished – but what would you expect of a band mentored by Ralph Rolle of Chic?  Let’s break it down.  The back beat is laid back, the hats give the …

Album Review: “Letters To George” – John Hollenbeck. Words: Sammy Stein

https://johnhollenbeck.bandcamp.com/album/letters-to-george   John Hollenbeck is a genre-fluid composer/percussionist, renowned in both the jazz and new-music worlds. He gained widespread recognition as the driving force behind the unclassifiable Claudia Quintet, and the ambitious John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, groups with roots in jazz, world music, and contemporary composition. He has earned six GRAMMY nominations and has worked …

Blog interview: Courtney Pine. Words: Sammy Stein.

Courtney Pine has been part of the global music scene for decades. His constantly evolving approach to music, and jazz music, in particular, has made him an endearing and engaging musician. I have seen him perform with artists in different settings, from school halls to large fabled concert venues. Every time, Pine brings to the …

Single Review: “The Comet Is Coming” – CODE. Words: Sammy Stein

The power trio The Comet is Coming, comprised of Dan Leavers ( Danalogue), Shabaka Hutchings (Shabaka), and Max Hallett (Betamax), have released ‘Code’, the first single from their forthcoming album ‘Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam’ which will be released late September on Impulse. ‘Code’ is hailed by their label as an ‘intergalactic head-banger that explores hidden meaning …

Mike Casey, Saxophones, An App, Music, Electronics, tech and more. – Words: Sammy Stein.

US saxophone player Mike Casey’s star has been in rapid ascendance. I have watched him develop as a musician since he and his trio released their first album just over four years ago. An innovative and explorative saxophonist, Casey is always thinking about new ways for people to engage with music and musicians. He has …

Single Review: “Garden” – Night Porter

This song is gorgeous. The piano part is full of lovely chords… but it’s not this that catches you. It’s the chorus. The oohs and the duetted saxophone, is what caught my ear. This is how I’m introduced gently this sunny morning to the new duo Night Porter.  Technically they aren’t new to me, at …

Album Review: “The Great Jamaican Songbook, Vol.1” – Cleveland Watkiss. Words: Sammy Stein

Multidisciplinary artist Cleveland Watkiss’s energy and drive are behind many music projects, and he has proved inspirational for upcoming talent on the music scene. He has worked with Wynton Marsalis, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Dusseldorf Symphony Orchestra, Art Blakey, and countless others.  His new album ‘The Great Jamaican Songbook’ is released, coinciding with a …

Album Review: Big Brooklyn – “Everyone, Everywhere”. Words: Sammy Stein.

Big Brooklyn Everyone, Everywhere I first heard Big Brooklyn four years ago when they released the album ‘Purpose’ ( CD Baby 2018). It has been a wait for the next release. Their big sound is as classy as their presentation and their new release ‘Everyone, Everywhere’ is out on  18th March. Once again, they delight …